What should I be doing with my 8 month old?

[bobcat]

Hey ladies! I haven't posted in quite a while, but as a recap, I'm a SAHM (for now) to a nearly 8 month old little girl. I'm not especially crafty or creative, and as a FTM I feel a little lost on what I should be doing regularly to stimulate baby girl's little brain. We read, play with toys, sing (badly), dance, and are experimenting with solids, but it's not always super purposeful, and I don't feel like we necessarily "practice" any specific skills. I do need to socialize her a little more with other kids, so we're looking into play groups. Any other advice? Am I over-thinking this? Planning to ask our pediatrician at her 9 mo appt, too!

[redfraggle]

Hi, bobcat! You are over-thinking it a bit. It sounds like you are giving her a lot of age-appropriate stimulation. Kids under age 2 need little more than what you are already doing to stimulate their brains because everything is a learning experience for them. Kids learn best by playing and doing natural, everyday activities like running errands and housework. I'm sure she's happy and well-adjusted. It is also developmentally appropriate for her to parallel play (play near other kids but not actually interact) until age 2 or 3, so don't worry too much about not having her around lots of kids yet.

If you'd like to do something a little more "purposeful", try doing some games like "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes" or let her fingerpaint with some yogurt. As she gets bigger, she'll be able to do more in-depth activities.

[ashiscute]

Team over thinking it. Which is very easy to do with your first at this age. I promise you are doing everything right.

Go for walks at different parks, if you have a zoo near you a membership is great. Joining a playgroup is a great idea for you as well as her. Babies like to watch other kids play. Remember at this age everything is learning. Don't let all that Pinterest, crafty stuff get you feeling inadequate.

[bobcat]

Thanks, ladies! I appreciate your feedback and feel better about our day to day. I would love to do more story time at the library, but unfortunately it conflicts with her morning nap. Blah! But, we're planning a trip to the zoo this weekend if the weather cooperates!

[ashiscute]

bobcat Have you checked any local bookstores? I had a hard time getting to story time at the library during my LO's first year because of morning nap too. But our closest bookstore does storytime also and their times were different and easier to get to. They are also free.

[penguin129]

I still think I am not doing enough because of Pinterest. It can be the best and the worst. I think your are doing plenty with your LO. Whenever I question what I am doing with DD and if it is enough I ask my mom or MIL because they were SAHM's before the internet came along to pollute their heads. Independent play is really important. I take DD on a couple walks a day and let her explore outside. I didn't try finding play groups until DD was one and even then I didn't find one I liked. Now she is just shy of 2 by 2 months, and I finally found a play group I like. Try not to be so hard on yourself (I need to take my own advice).

[tomorrowisanotherday]

When I worked in daycare, we didn't have ANY "purposeful" activities for the children to do until around 18 months! Everything they did was considered exploration and free play (independently and with others). I'm sure you are doing a great job momma; I have quit looking at Pinterest since I became a SAHM. I just talk on here instead!

[younglove316]

I think what you are doing is great! My LO is 13 months now but I try and go on walks with her when the weather cooperates. You could also check your area and see if there is a MOMS or MOPS club? We joined a moms club and it has been great!

[nerdalert]

I think what you're doing sounds great, too! I have a 5 month old, and I do a lot of really simple things with her, and she loves it because everything is new to her. Here are some of the things I do:

-let her put her hand under a faucet to touch the water
-have her watch me fold her clothes while I talk about what colors/patterns they are
-sing songs with hand motions
-Show her and let her touch fruits and veggies before I chop them up

I'm not really worried about her playing with other kids yet. I also worked in a daycare, and they pretty much just did parallel play anyway until almost age 2.

[redfraggle]

I wouldn't do most of these for at least another year, maybe year and a half or longer, but DS's preschool teacher sent home a flyer with this link on it (she sends one every month). I thought you might like some of these activities once you hit the toddler/preschool stages. We have done some of the activities and enjoyed them.

lets-explore.net/blog/ways-to-play-monthly-downloads/

[bobcat]

Thanks again, ladies! You're the best! Lots of great suggestions of simple things we can easily add to our day! And, I feel much more at ease with what we're already doing.